Just Let Me Be

Threats •

This poem was written by Jim Vanas, who also took the photographs in Nevada.

Don’t touch me, don’t catch me

Please just let me be.

Observe me, enjoy me.

I’m wild, and I am free.

I’m a turtle, a lizard, a snake, a little frog.

Gila Monster (big bright orange and black lizard) and Mojave Desert Tortoise (tan tortoise) outside their shelter.
Gila Monster and Mojave Desert Tortoise outside their shelter.

I’m not a pet you keep at home, your cat or lazy dog.

You’ll learn much more by watching everything I do.

And if you make me bite, it hurts me more than you.

Food is always hard to find

Let me hunt if you don’t mind

Two Mojave Desert Tortoises (tan tortoises) are elevated and face-to-face, like human wrestlers.
Mojave Desert Tortoises in combat.

I may have been a flick away

When you messed up my feeding day.

I’m glad that you all think I’m cool

But please don’t be a herping fool.

Don’t touch me, don’t catch me

Observe and let me be.

Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (large tan lizard with black spots) with a Common Side-blotched Lizard (brown lizard with blue and black blotches) in his mouth.
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard eating a Common Side-blotched Lizard.